Maine to Ireland: Top 10 Free Apps for Studying Abroad in Dublin

Mar 18, 2016 5:30:00 PM / by Stephanie Sadler

CAPAStudyAbroad_SP21_Dublin_Alum_ColeTaylorCole Taylor is an official CAPA blogger for spring 2016, sharing their story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A journalism and media writing major at Lasell College, they are studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

In this week's post, Cole shares their favorite free apps that will come in handy if you're studying abroad in Dublin.

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When you think about study abroad, typically you are thinking about the paperwork, what to pack, what it will be like when you get there, etc. One thing you do not usually think about, or at least I did not, is smartphone apps. Which apps can help make your Dublin study abroad experience even better and more effective?

Check out the 10 apps that I find to be both entertaining and handy while abroad.

1. GOOGLE MAPS. Google Maps has saved my bacon several times since being in Dublin. Some people use the pre-installed GPS on their smartphone, but I found that Google Maps is more effective and user-friendly. When you open the app, it immediately prompts you to type in a destination and upon doing so, it will show you possible options of transportation in the lower right hand corner; bus, walk, car, or train. It also shows you in minutes how far the destination is from your current location. For Dublin travelers, this app is highly recommended because typically you will travel by bus quite often. When you select the bus option, a drop down list will appear with different bus numbers and routes that will get you there and how long it will take. In my opinion, I have yet to find anything negative about using this app. As long as you have data on your phone, it is the saving grace of all navigation apps.

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Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Official Bloggers and Vloggers

CAPA London My Global Education Event: A Sunday Stroll on Southbank

Sep 14, 2015 8:30:00 AM / by Stephanie Sadler

Alyssa Reimenschneider is an official CAPA blogger for fall 2015, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. An English Literature and Studio Art major at Albright College, she is studying abroad in London this fall.

Below, Alyssa takes us on a CAPA My Global Education adventure to London's South Bank.

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There is something magical about Southbank on a Sunday morning. Maybe it's the people of all ages that line the street, dressed in leather jackets and old jeans, playing guitars and accordions and saxophones for their chance at some loose change tossed into an overturned top hat. Maybe it's the colorfully graffitied backsides of art and theatre buildings, where low-capped teenagers flip their skateboards like pros. It could be the slightly salty breeze off the Thames that colors everything with freshness and fills the air with anticipation as you make your way down the crowded walk, taking in all the sights and smells and sounds of a busy hub of culture.

Feeling completely new, disoriented and ignorant in this vast city, I decided to try to familiarize myself with a part of it by taking advantage of CAPA's first My Global Education event: a Sunday morning walking tour of Southbank, an artsy segment of London across the river from Big Ben and Westminster. We started off at Westminster tube station (another first for me), where we had a breathtaking view of the London Eye rising over the Thames. With Big Ben looming over our heads, we crossed the bridge towards Southbank, weaving through tourists with cameras and crowds watching men performing card tricks.

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Posted in: London, England, Official Bloggers and Vloggers, My Global Education

Ashley's Top 5 Apps for Study Abroad

Jun 24, 2015 5:30:00 PM / by Stephanie Sadler

Ashley_Welsh_Widget_PhotoAshley Welch is an official CAPA blogger for summer 2015, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. An economics major at Clemson University, she is studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

In the post below, Ashley shares her top 5 apps for study abroad. 

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Having a smartphone abroad can actually be really useful if you have the right apps on it. I use my phone all the time in Ireland to document my time here, navigate the streets, and much more. While there's a multitude of apps out there, I have narrowed down all of my apps to these five essential ones

GMaps1. GOOGLE MAPS. This is by far the most essential app I use while studying here in Dublin. Unfortunately, I was not gifted with a great sense of direction, and am often getting lost in my hometown or at school. Finding my way around foreign cities has always been a difficulty. Google Maps solves all of those problems for me and makes finding my way around a lot less stressful than using a standard map or going by memory. Although there is already a Maps app installed on most phones (or at least iPhones), Google Maps is better because it also includes the bus, train, and rail schedules. The only real downside of this app is that it does use data, so only someone with a smartphone and preferably an Irish sim card can realistically use it. To me, this is well worth the data and I have yet to get lost in Dublin or any other city I have visited during my summer abroad.

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Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Study Abroad

Kristina's Top 5 Apps for Study Abroad

Apr 22, 2015 12:30:00 PM / by Stephanie Sadler

Kristina_Worm_-_Bio_PictureKristina Worm is an official CAPA blogger for spring 2015, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A marketing major at the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management, she is studying abroad in Sydney this semester.

In this week's post Kristina shares her top 5 favorite apps that have helped her during her semester abroad in Sydney.

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My semester in Sydney is winding down, but as my time here comes to an end I wanted to share my top used apps. During my time here I made sure to bring my iPhone, but it is definitely personal preference if you choose to bring your smart phone.

I also got a pre-paid phone that I used to text and call people within Australia. Having my iPhone was convenient when I had access to the internet and especially convenient because I was still able to iMessage and FaceTime people back home.

When connected to the internet, these are my top 5 apps that I used during my time in Sydney:

1. GOOGLE MAPS. I’m not sure if I’ve used a navigational app so much in my life! Whenever it was possible to connect to WiFi or before leaving the apartments, I would always use Google Maps to make sure I knew where I was going. This app is very convenient in planning out trips and it was especially useful during our first few weeks here. Even with only having a week left, I still google directions to places. Google Maps is nice for those that are in an unfamiliar place because it connects to public transportation routes as well. I was able to get driving directions, walking directions, and public transportation directions from this app alone.

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Posted in: Sydney, Australia, Practical Study Abroad Advice

Emily's 5 Favorite Apps for Study Abroad

Mar 12, 2015 1:30:00 PM / by Stephanie Sadler

Emily Kearns is an official CAPA blogger for spring 2015, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A communications and business major at the University of Pittsburgh, she is studying abroad in Florence this semester.

In her post below, Emily shares her top 5 apps to use while studying abroad.

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While I mentioned in one of my posts how refreshing it is to be abroad and non-reliant on my iPhone at all times of the day, there are definitely times when it’s necessary to break out that handy-dandy little device.

I am oh-so-thankful for these five apps below, that have helped me in a countless number of ways!

1. GOOGLE MAPS. This app comes in handy so much, especially for people like me who are not so great at directions! On a beautiful day in Florence, it sometimes feels great to be lost and wander around; however, when it’s cold, dark and you can’t find your way back to your apartment, it’s nice to have a helping hand. I definitely recommend to anyone going abroad purchasing a phone/plan with at least some internet capability, even if it’s just to use for emergency situations like when you need to find your way home. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Not so much in a small city, like Florence, but in bigger cities this app especially comes in handy because it can tell you exactly what bus, tram, or train to take to your destination as well as what times they run.

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Posted in: Official Bloggers and Vloggers, Practical Study Abroad Advice, Florence, Italy

Study Abroad in Sydney: From Pre-Departure to Homecoming

Mar 24, 2014 10:00:00 AM / by Stephanie Sadler

CAPA International Education alum Connor McCarthy spent Fall semester 2013 studying abroad in Sydney. He teamed up with the Learning Abroad Center at his home institution, the University of Minnesota, to create a series of videos to document his journey.

Focusing on the pre-departure stage in his first video, Connor talks a bit about the CAPA program and the application process from the point of view of a University of Minnesota student. He discusses his concerns about studying abroad, in particular about studying abroad in Australia (check out 2:18) and how he is preparing for his adventure.

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Posted in: CAPA Alumni, Sydney, Australia

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